Honda reveals NeuV smart car and self-balancing motorcycle

The highlight of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show may be based on some of these keywords---connectivity, integration and partnership. Just like in the previous year, you’ve probably heard and read a lot about automation. But for Honda, 2017 comes with all of these along with mobility, cloud, robotics and AI technology.

Honda this year introduced two amazing concepts at CES under the company’s new Cooperative Mobility Ecosystem. One is a “self-levelling motorcycle” while the other one is a highly intelligent two-seater electric vehicle.

By now, you must have been aware that the “Riding Assist” motorcycle features a technology that always keeps it steady. But instead of incorporating the usual gyroscopic elements, the self-balancing bike uses Honda’s UNI-CUB personal mobility concept. The UNI-CUB concept lets the driver take control of the speed and direction of the motorcycle just by the movement of his bodyweight.

For the most part of the show, Honda has delighted this year’s attendees with its concept EV. The NeuV (or New electric urban vehicle) is a small two-seater car with self-driving technology. Honda’s 74hp EV can run up to 200 miles on a full charge and can practically go about on its own. Thus, it is also useful for “ride-sharing” or making side profits for the owner. At the same time, the NeuV can sell back its unused power supply at the electricity grid if the owner has not been using it for a while.

The NeuV is also “emotional” as it can sense your emotions and play the right music playlist to suit your current mood. How’s that? Since it comes equipped with HANA, (otherwise known as Honda Automated Network Assistant) the car instinctively adapts to your behavior, decision and feelings. HANA was developed in cooperation with SoftBank, a tech company from Japan. Aside from the 2.0 kWh battery pack, the NeuV is packed with other amazing goodies such as an electric skateboard and a full-width touch screen monitor.

Going back to CES, Honda revealed a concept technology that will keep the road safer and more organized. The “Safe Swarm” concept has been using a new technology based on how fishes behave in the same environment.

Come to think of it, if we have to put Honda’s concepts altogether, maybe it would be easier to achieve full autonomy in the near future. In line with this event, Honda has announced that its Developer Studio will be collaborating with Dreamworks Animation and Visa. Together with Honda Silicon Valley Labs Xcellerator, this new partnership will aid the company and other startups in developing their products.